Herceptin

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new genetic test that will help health care professionals determine if women with breast cancer are HER2-positive and, therefore, candidates for Herceptin (trastuzumab), a commonly used breas"...

Cardiomyopathy

Herceptin administration can result in sub-clinical
and clinical cardiac failure. The incidence and severity was highest in
patients receiving Herceptin withanthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimens.

Evaluate left ventricular function in all patients
prior to and during treatment with Herceptin. Discontinue Herceptin treatment
in patients receiving adjuvant therapy and withhold Herceptin in patients with
metastatic disease for clinically significant decrease in left ventricular
function. [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Exposure to Herceptin during pregnancy can result in
oligohydramnios and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonary
hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death. [see WARNINGS
AND PRECAUTIONS, Use in Specific Populations]

What are the possible side effects of trastuzumab (Herceptin)?

Some people receiving a trastuzumab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, weak, itchy, or short of breath during the injection.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

What are the precautions when taking trastuzumab (Herceptin)?

Before using trastuzumab, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other mouse protein medications; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as benzyl alcohol), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.